Community CPR Training Highlights Heart and Stroke Walk This Weekend

The Coachella Valley Heart and Stroke Walk returns this Saturday, December 6, at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, bringing free CPR training alongside the annual fundraising event.

Ran by the American Heart Association, the walk and expo help to raise funds for the organization, whose goal is to raise awareness of the necessity of being CPR certified. According to the organization, nine out of ten people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital die, largely because bystanders don't perform CPR.

Trevor Boreham, founder of Life Saving Certified, will demonstrate life-saving techniques at the walk's expo, addressing a critical gap in emergency preparedness. 

Key CPR Steps

Boreham outlined the essential actions when someone collapses:

Check responsiveness: Tap the person's shoulders and shout to see if they respond.

Call for help: If unresponsive, immediately call 911 or have someone else call.

Check for breathing and pulse: Look for chest rise and fall. Feel for a carotid pulse (on the neck) for 5-10 seconds.

Start chest compressions: If there's no pulse or breathing, place the palm of your dominant hand on the center of the chest where an imaginary line from the chin through the sternum intersects with the nipple line. Interlock your other hand on top, lock your elbows, and compress hard and fast—at least 100 to 120 beats per minute (the tempo of "Stayin' Alive").

"The most important thing is circulating oxygen-rich blood to the brain and heart," Boreham explained. "We're buying time until professional help arrives."

Event Details

The expo opens at 8 a.m. and features activities for children, including games, face painting, and healthy snacks, along with coffee for adults. The walk begins at 9 a.m.

Registration is available at cvheartwalk.org.